Your Best Body for Summer

The Perfect Sunglasses: How to Choose the Healthiest Pair

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The Season's Best Styles
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The Season's Best Styles

Your shades do more than just make you look cool; they're essential for protecting eye health year-round. If you're in the market for a new pair this summer, keep in mind these shopping parameters from the experts. And check out our picks for some of the season's best rule-following styles.

Pictured here: Angie by Fossil, $50; belk.com
The Lens
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The Lens

Look for a UV protection rating of 400, and get darker shades if your eyes are light-sensitive, says Andrea Thau, M.D., spokesperson for the American Optometric Association. Shatterproof polycarbonate plastic is inherently protective, and gray lenses distort color the least.

Pictured here: 2963-S by Persol, from $310; iloristyle.com
The Bridge
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The Bridge

Glasses should rest between your brow and cheekbones, says Gail Royal, M.D., of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. So if you've got a narrow nasal bridge, opt for nose pads.

Pictured here: Hinder by Oakley, $170; oakley.com
The Fit
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The Fit

The lenses should cover your eyes and the delicate skin around them. Pick frames that are as wide as your face, with a snug (but not tight) fit behind the ears.

Pictured here: Outdoorsman II by Ray-Ban, from $129; ray-ban.com
The Frame
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The Frame

Sweat, makeup, and sunblock can cause chemical reactions in frames that contain nickel. Look for high-quality metals such as titanium, or choose plastic.

Pictured here: NW1213053 by Nine West, $42; ninewest.com for stores
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